Can Chess Pieces Jump Over Other Pieces? Knight Time!
I am partial to knights in chess. First of all, they’re knights. Their name alone conjures up a lot of cool imagery of swords, shields, and mounted combat. But moreover, they have a very unique move pattern. This move pattern can be very confusing for inexperienced players, or devastating in the hands of seasoned players! And yes, the knight can jump over other pieces.
The knight is the only chess piece with the ability to jump over other pieces. The same capture rules apply to knights as they do other pieces. A knight may jump to an unoccupied square, or a square occupied by an enemy piece that is then captured. Unlike checkers, a knight does not capture enemy pieces simply by jumping over them.
Ok so, jumping over other pieces is cool. But the knight can do a lot of other neat things which is why it’s one of my favorite pieces! A knight is roughly equal to a Bishop in strength, but in some cases can be superior, and even equal to a Rook!
The Knight Can Jump in Chess
As stated already, the knight can jump over other pieces. A common chess opening does just that, it’s called “The Reti Opening.” Feel free to click through this game in which the opening’s namesake, Richard Reti, defeats the reigning world Champion Jose Capablanca!
Knights are the best “Double Attackers”
In chess, attacked two pieces at the same time is called a Fork. And there is no better piece at forking than a knight. Because the knight has a unique move ability, even a piece as powerful as the Queen can fall prey to the power of the knight.
Despite having a substantial material advantage, white carelessly walks into a knight fork and is dead in the water.
Knights can Occupy Either Color Square
Unlike their bishop counterparts, knights are not confined to one color. Losing one of your bishops often means losing a lot influence of that respective color square. Knights are not troubled with such nonsense.
Knights are Absolute Monsters in the Center
Since knights can jump over other pieces, and occupy either color, and are the best forking pieces in chess, when you place them in the center of the board they are absolute beasts. Just look at how many squares this knight stares down from his perch in the center.
Conclusion
Knights are awesome!
